US4753525A - Modular device - Google Patents

Modular device Download PDF

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Publication number
US4753525A
US4753525A US07/019,375 US1937587A US4753525A US 4753525 A US4753525 A US 4753525A US 1937587 A US1937587 A US 1937587A US 4753525 A US4753525 A US 4753525A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
optical
mountings
optical axis
filter
beam path
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
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US07/019,375
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English (en)
Inventor
Norbert Gaul
Guenter Reinheimer
Peter Euteneuer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH
Original Assignee
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH
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Assigned to ERNST LEITZ WETZLAR GMBH reassignment ERNST LEITZ WETZLAR GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: EUTENEUER, PETER, GAUL, NORBERT, REINHEIMER, GUNTER
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/06—Means for illuminating specimens
    • G02B21/08—Condensers
    • G02B21/088—Condensers for both incident illumination and transillumination

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a modular device to receive and to introduce at least two optical systems into the beam path or into the optical axis of an optical device.
  • German Patent Specification No. 2,316,386 discloses a fluorescence reflected light illuminator in which the components are fitted on an axial rotary support and can be introduced alternately into the beam path by gear means is known.
  • Modern microscopes permit the performance of not only traditional microscopic investigation involving the use of reflected light, transmitted light, phase contrast, etc., but also of investigations utilizing fluorescence microscopy, particularly multiple fluorochrome sensitization processes, on a selective basis. It was formerly not possible to switch over rapidly from the traditional microscopic methods to the modern methods of investigation utilizing fluorescence microscopy--and vice versa--without undertaking more or less extensive rebuilding operations or adapting operations involving the microscope. Either the image selection focussed at the particular time, on the object to be investigated, became lost, or else the objective required refocussing.
  • An additional object of the present invention consists in being able to execute this exchange without the loss of the once-focussed image section and, above all, of the once-focussed image sharpness.
  • a modular device to interchangeably receive and to introduce into the beam path or optical axis of an optical device, at least two optical systems, the optical systems being posed adjacent one another and being constructed as both components and independent functional units, including:
  • FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a microscope with a sliding drawer as the modular device
  • FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a modular device with filter components in a first position
  • FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the modular device with the filter components in a second position
  • FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the modular device in a third position with uncoupled filter components and with the compensating plate swung in;
  • FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through a first filter component taken along V--V of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 shows a sectional view through a second modified filter component taken along VI--VI of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 7 shows a sectional view through the swivel plate taken along VII--VII at FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through a modified swivel plate taken along the line VII--VII of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 9 shows a front elevation of the filter component of FIG. 5 situated in its working position, as in FIG. 2, and its mounting (24a) viewed along the illumination beam path of the microscope.
  • FIG. 1 shows schematically a part of a microscope 1 with an illumination beam path 2 and an optical axis 2a.
  • a lens turret 34b with an objective lens 34c situated in its working position is secured to the underside of the microscope body.
  • a binocular tube 34a with an associated optical axis 2a is disposed on the microscope 1.
  • a sliding drawer 18, which serves to receive a modular device 5 in a support 3, is provided as shown in FIGS. 2-6.
  • FIG. 1 shows parts of the modular device 5 with a filter component 6 or 7, which in turn comprises an excitation filter 27a, a compensating plate 35, a dichromatic divider mirror 27b and a blocking filter 27c.
  • a control cam 25, which is secured to a swivel plate 30 projects into the sliding drawer 18.
  • Plate 30 is rotatably mounted by means of the swivel axle 31.
  • Swivel plate 30 carries an optical element 17 constructed as a compensating plate.
  • FIG. 2 shows the modular device 5 as a closed component in a top plan view.
  • Device 5 is secured by means of a blocking device 4 at the support 3.
  • a pull rod 11, rotatably mounted on the modular device 5, is provided at one of its ends with a setting knob 19.
  • the pull rod 11 has engagement grooves 12a and 12b, with which engagement means 21 is associated.
  • FIG. 2 also shows a first entrainment element 13, mounted on pull rod 11, and a second entrainment element 14.
  • a pin 16, which projects into a guide groove 15, is provided on the first entrainment element 13.
  • a recess 22 is connected.
  • Two mountings 24a and 24b are also shown, which exhibit respective recesses 20a and 20b.
  • the first entrainment element 13 is associated with the recess 20a, and the second entrainment element 14 with the recess 20b, and are positively connected to these associated recesses, 20a and 20b.
  • the mountings 24a and 24b are guided on guide rods 9 and 10, disposed one above the other.
  • Filter components 6 and 7 are fitted by means of a dovetail guide 28 in the associated mountings 24 a and 24b in an exchangeable manner. In the embodiment shown, the filter component 6 is situated in a working position.
  • the swivel plate 30 is shown together with the swivel axle 31 and the control cam 25.
  • swivel plate 30 is held against the force of a spring 29 by the control cam 25 at an edge 36 of the mountings 24a and 24b, respectively.
  • Oppositely disposed oblique portions 33a and 33b are fitted at one of the ends of the mounting 24b.
  • FIG. 3 shows the modular device 5 as a closed component, with filter component 7 having been introduced into the working position.
  • the engagement groove 12b of the pull rod 11 is engaged with engagement means 21.
  • the guiding of the control cam 25 in a curved control slot 26 is illustrated.
  • FIG. 4 the modular device 5 is shown with swivel plate 30 brought into its working position.
  • Mounting 24a is uncoupled from pull rod 11, and the relative spacing between mounting 24a and mounting 24b has been altered by insertion of pull rod 11.
  • a projecting ramp 32 is shown (also shown in FIG. 9) which, in co-operation with inclined portion 33a disposed opposite to it, forms a continuation of the edge 36 on mounting 24b.
  • FIG. 5 shows a section along line V--V of FIG. 2 through the modular device 5, which is secured by means of a dovetail guide 8 in support 3.
  • the mounting 24a is shown with guide rods 9 and 10 disposed one above the other.
  • the entrainment element 13, fitted on the pull rod 11, has a flattened portion 23.
  • the filter component 6 in this instance is constructed as a fluorescence unit. It includes excitation filter 27a, which preferably is disposed perpendicular to the illumination beam path 2 of the microscope, compensating plate 35, dichromatic divider mirror 27b attached at 45° to the optical axis 2a of the microscope, and blocking filter 27c disposed perpendicular to the optical axis 2a.
  • FIG. 6 shows a section along line VI--VI of FIG. 3 through the modular device 5, with mounting 24b.
  • blocking filter 27c and compensating plate 35 are not disposed perpendicular to the optical axis 2a of the microscope. As a result of this, any reflections which may possibly occur within the microscope are avoided.
  • FIG. 7 shows swivel plate 30 together with optical element 17, which is constructed as a compensating plate and which is disposed perpendicular to the optical axis 2a, control cam 25 and swivel axle 31.
  • FIG. 8 shows optical element 17 when it is not disposed perpendicular to optical axis 2a. This arrangement has the advantage that any reflections possibly occurring within the microscope are avoided.
  • FIG. 9 shows mounting 24a with projecting ramp 32 in front elevation, i.e. from the viewing direction of the light source (not shown) for the illumination beam path 2.
  • filter component 6 can be introduced into mounting 24a by means of dovetail guide 28. A problem-free exchange of various filter components is assured by the use of dovetail guide 28.
  • the method of operation of a device according to the present invention is as follows: the modular device 5 is introduced, by means of the attached dovetail guide 8 (FIG. 5), into the support 3 in the sliding drawer 18 (FIG. 1) of the microscope 1 and secured by means of a blocking device 4 against displacement.
  • the control cam 25 of the swivel plate 30 is held by the inclined portion 33b, against the force of the spring 29 at the edge 36 of the mountings 24a and 24b, and thus the swivel plate 30, together with element 17, is pivoted out of the optical axis 2a of the microscope body 1.
  • FIG. 5 the modular device 5 is introduced, by means of the attached dovetail guide 8 (FIG. 5), into the support 3 in the sliding drawer 18 (FIG. 1) of the microscope 1 and secured by means of a blocking device 4 against displacement.
  • the engagement means 21 is situated in engagement with the engagement groove 12a; in this position, the mounting 24a together with the pertinent filter component 6 is accurately positioned in the illumination beam path 2 and in the optical axis 2a of the microscope (setting position A).
  • the filter component 7 is accurately positioned in the illumination beam path 2 and in the optical axis 2a of the microscope (setting position B).
  • the pin 16 on first entrainment element 13 is situated in the recess 22 connecting with the guide groove 15.
  • the control cam 25 is then guided by the control curve 26, due to the inclined portion 33a by the force of the spring 29, in order to assure an introduction with precise positioning of the swivel plate 30, with the optical element 17 constructed as a compensating plate, into the optical axis 2a of the microscope.
  • This setting of the swivel plate 30 permits a rapid switchover to other types of microscopy.
  • the optical element 17 is designed in such a manner that the set image section does not become lost, and the objective lens 34c does not require refocussing (setting position C).
  • the excitation filter 27a shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the blocking filters 27c are provided with a compensating plate 35. This has the advantage that by means of the compensating plate 35 a multiplicity of possible filter combinations are possible without any effect on the optical paths 2 and 2a of the microscope.
  • the modular device can also have several mountings; in this event, any types and combinations of optical elements, such as for example filters, lenses, graticules, aperture stops, etc., can be brought into the working position.
  • optical elements such as for example filters, lenses, graticules, aperture stops, etc.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Microscoopes, Condenser (AREA)
  • Lens Barrels (AREA)
US07/019,375 1986-03-29 1987-02-26 Modular device Expired - Fee Related US4753525A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19863610692 DE3610692A1 (de) 1986-03-29 1986-03-29 Modulare einrichtung
DE3610692 1986-03-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4753525A true US4753525A (en) 1988-06-28

Family

ID=6297560

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/019,375 Expired - Fee Related US4753525A (en) 1986-03-29 1987-02-26 Modular device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4753525A (OSRAM)
JP (1) JPH077144B2 (OSRAM)
AT (1) AT398496B (OSRAM)
CH (1) CH675775A5 (OSRAM)
DE (1) DE3610692A1 (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2596532B1 (OSRAM)
GB (1) GB2188447B (OSRAM)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5633752A (en) * 1994-07-27 1997-05-27 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Optical switching apparatus for a reflected fluorescence microscope
US5634923A (en) * 1994-03-19 1997-06-03 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Safety filter for an ophthalmic therapeutic and/or diagnostic instrument
US6147800A (en) * 1997-09-25 2000-11-14 Kramer Scientific Corporation Fluorescence stereo microscope illuminator
US6222671B1 (en) * 1996-11-12 2001-04-24 Nikon Corporation Optical element switching device
US6320697B2 (en) 1931-08-07 2001-11-20 Nikon Corporation Illuminating light selection device for a microscope
US6337767B1 (en) * 1997-08-06 2002-01-08 Nikon Corporation Microscope with visible and ultraviolet light illumination systems
US6347009B1 (en) 1997-08-06 2002-02-12 Nikon Corporation Illuminating light selection device for a microscope
US6373626B1 (en) * 1999-11-25 2002-04-16 Mitutoyo Corporation Bright and dark field switching device and microscope
EP1290485B1 (de) * 2000-06-14 2007-01-03 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Verfahren zur quantitativen optischen messung der topographie einer oberfläche
US20080310017A1 (en) * 2007-06-12 2008-12-18 Carl Zeiss Microimaging Gmbh Microscope for observing a sample in the bright field illumination by transmitted light or in fluorescence-contrast epi-illumination
US10989905B2 (en) * 2016-06-03 2021-04-27 Leica Instruments (Singpore) Pte. Ltd. Interchangeable optical module and microscopic apparatus comprising same
US20240427133A1 (en) * 2023-06-23 2024-12-26 Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments Llc Swappable detector module for spectroscope systems

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5371624A (en) * 1991-11-29 1994-12-06 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Reflected fluorescence microscope
DE4404286C2 (de) * 1994-02-11 1996-01-25 Leica Mikroskopie & Syst Fluoreszenzeinrichtung für ein Invers-Mikroskop
US6069734A (en) * 1997-11-19 2000-05-30 Olympus America, Inc. High resolution macroscope
DE19936497C2 (de) * 1999-08-05 2001-09-13 Leica Microsystems Halterung zur Befestigung einer Komponente mit einem aussenseitig angeordneten, symmetrischen Schwalbenschwanzschlitten
DE10229935B4 (de) * 2002-07-04 2018-02-08 Carl Zeiss Microscopy Gmbh Mikroskopschieber zur Einkopplung von Licht in ein Mikroskop
DE102004034887B4 (de) * 2004-07-19 2006-05-18 Leica Microsystems Cms Gmbh Mikroskop mit schwenkbarer Haltevorrichtung für optische Komponenten

Citations (12)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB460253A (en) * 1934-08-03 1937-01-25 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Improvements in or relating to microscopes
US3028483A (en) * 1959-02-09 1962-04-03 Simmon Brothers Inc Illuminating apparatus for photographic printers and enlargers
DE2055944A1 (de) * 1970-11-13 1972-05-18 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluoreszenzauflichtilluminator
GB1326649A (en) * 1970-10-19 1973-08-15 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Microscope
DE2316386A1 (de) * 1973-04-02 1974-10-10 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluoreszenzauflichtilluminator
US3873182A (en) * 1970-12-15 1975-03-25 Nippon Kogaku Kk Magnification varying device in optical instrument capable of changing the spacing between two optical axes
US3918793A (en) * 1970-05-02 1975-11-11 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluorescence illuminator for incident light microscope
US3955788A (en) * 1974-01-25 1976-05-11 Jean Delage Apparatus for positioning and supporting optical laboratory instruments
GB1447166A (en) * 1973-04-02 1976-08-25 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Illuminator for illuminating a fluorescent object
GB2052789A (en) * 1979-06-15 1981-01-28 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Incident light illumination device for a microscope
DE3230504A1 (de) * 1981-08-26 1983-03-17 Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Gmbh, 6330 Wetzlar Durchlicht- und/oder auflicht-inversmikroskop
US4487486A (en) * 1981-07-28 1984-12-11 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Vertical illuminator for microscope

Family Cites Families (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE483608C (de) * 1929-10-03 Emil Busch Akt Ges Vorrichtung zur Beleuchtung mikroskopischer Objekte im auffallenden Licht
DE569884C (de) * 1931-06-30 1933-02-09 Emil Busch A G Optische Ind Vorrichtung zur Beleuchtung mikroskopischer Objekte
AT351294B (de) * 1970-05-02 1979-07-10 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluoreszenz-auflichtilluminator fuer mikroskope
US3684033A (en) * 1970-10-01 1972-08-15 Atlas Copco Ab Independently rotated pneumatic rock drill
DE3219399C2 (de) * 1982-05-24 1984-05-10 Spindler & Hoyer GmbH & Co, 3400 Göttingen Bausatz zum Aufbau einer mikrooptischen Bank
DE8507133U1 (de) * 1985-03-12 1985-05-30 Fa. Carl Zeiss, 7920 Heidenheim Mikroskop mit schwalbenfuehrung

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB460253A (en) * 1934-08-03 1937-01-25 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Improvements in or relating to microscopes
US3028483A (en) * 1959-02-09 1962-04-03 Simmon Brothers Inc Illuminating apparatus for photographic printers and enlargers
US3918793A (en) * 1970-05-02 1975-11-11 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluorescence illuminator for incident light microscope
GB1326649A (en) * 1970-10-19 1973-08-15 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Microscope
DE2055944A1 (de) * 1970-11-13 1972-05-18 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluoreszenzauflichtilluminator
US3873182A (en) * 1970-12-15 1975-03-25 Nippon Kogaku Kk Magnification varying device in optical instrument capable of changing the spacing between two optical axes
DE2316386A1 (de) * 1973-04-02 1974-10-10 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Fluoreszenzauflichtilluminator
GB1447166A (en) * 1973-04-02 1976-08-25 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Illuminator for illuminating a fluorescent object
US3955788A (en) * 1974-01-25 1976-05-11 Jean Delage Apparatus for positioning and supporting optical laboratory instruments
GB2052789A (en) * 1979-06-15 1981-01-28 Leitz Ernst Gmbh Incident light illumination device for a microscope
US4487486A (en) * 1981-07-28 1984-12-11 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Vertical illuminator for microscope
DE3230504A1 (de) * 1981-08-26 1983-03-17 Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Gmbh, 6330 Wetzlar Durchlicht- und/oder auflicht-inversmikroskop
US4619503A (en) * 1981-08-26 1986-10-28 Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Gmbh Transmitted light and/or incident light inverse microscope

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6320697B2 (en) 1931-08-07 2001-11-20 Nikon Corporation Illuminating light selection device for a microscope
US5634923A (en) * 1994-03-19 1997-06-03 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Safety filter for an ophthalmic therapeutic and/or diagnostic instrument
US5633752A (en) * 1994-07-27 1997-05-27 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Optical switching apparatus for a reflected fluorescence microscope
US6222671B1 (en) * 1996-11-12 2001-04-24 Nikon Corporation Optical element switching device
US6347009B1 (en) 1997-08-06 2002-02-12 Nikon Corporation Illuminating light selection device for a microscope
US6337767B1 (en) * 1997-08-06 2002-01-08 Nikon Corporation Microscope with visible and ultraviolet light illumination systems
US6147800A (en) * 1997-09-25 2000-11-14 Kramer Scientific Corporation Fluorescence stereo microscope illuminator
US6373626B1 (en) * 1999-11-25 2002-04-16 Mitutoyo Corporation Bright and dark field switching device and microscope
EP1290485B1 (de) * 2000-06-14 2007-01-03 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Verfahren zur quantitativen optischen messung der topographie einer oberfläche
US20080310017A1 (en) * 2007-06-12 2008-12-18 Carl Zeiss Microimaging Gmbh Microscope for observing a sample in the bright field illumination by transmitted light or in fluorescence-contrast epi-illumination
US8040598B2 (en) 2007-06-12 2011-10-18 Carl Zeiss Microimaging Gmbh Microscope for observing a sample in the bright field illumination by transmitted light or in fluorescence-contrast epi-illumination
US10989905B2 (en) * 2016-06-03 2021-04-27 Leica Instruments (Singpore) Pte. Ltd. Interchangeable optical module and microscopic apparatus comprising same
US20240427133A1 (en) * 2023-06-23 2024-12-26 Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments Llc Swappable detector module for spectroscope systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2188447B (en) 1989-11-15
GB8706448D0 (en) 1987-04-23
DE3610692A1 (de) 1987-10-01
JPH077144B2 (ja) 1995-01-30
AT398496B (de) 1994-12-27
FR2596532B1 (fr) 1991-12-20
GB2188447A (en) 1987-09-30
CH675775A5 (OSRAM) 1990-10-31
ATA59587A (de) 1994-04-15
JPS62240915A (ja) 1987-10-21
DE3610692C2 (OSRAM) 1990-01-11
FR2596532A1 (fr) 1987-10-02

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